• Source:JND
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Rishab Shetty starrer Kantara, released in 202,2 and created a milestone in the South Indian film industry. It was the second-highest-grossing Kannada movie of all time, followed by Yash’s KGF: Chapter 2. Despite several accolades, the film received flak for its portrayal of women, particularly the role played by Sapthami Gowda. The movie was also criticised for Shiva’s misogynistic behaviour and the voyeuristic depiction of his love’. After Kantara Chapter 1 was released, Rishab Shetty reacted to the criticism and said that the movie is not a man’s world. He also pointed out the prominence of the main female characters in the film.

In an interview with News18, Rishab Shetty said, “I don’t agree when you say that Kantara is a man’s world. The character of the mother (played by Manasi Sudhir) in the first film was very prominent. The character of the daiva nartak is key in the story but the mother’s role is also very important.”

The actor also explained that the climax of the sequel was not just about him but also the mother’s character. He added, “If you remember the climax, when I was performing a dance ritual by embodying a divine spirit, my mother was an integral part of it. She was playing a dhol-like instrument. The daiva nartak could perform the ritual only after taking her blessings. Our film is about the divinity and that’s a superior energy. In the same way, a mother is also synonymous with a superior energy.”

Also read: Kantara Chapter 1 Box Office Collection Day 1: Rishab Shetty’s Kannada Movie Brings Storm On Opening Day With Phenomenal Performance

He also said, “The film was about Shiva. He started off as a borderline villainous character and it was important to showcase that in the service of the story. He goes around doing negative activities and he’s fearless. The only person he’s fearful of is his mother. We’ve also shown his vulnerable side in the film. When he sees a bad dream at night, he runs to his mother and sleeps next to her like a child would do.”

Also read: Kantara Chapter 1: Jr NTR Congratulates Rishab Shetty For Movie’s Success, Calls His Direction ‘Brilliant’

“I give a lot of important to my female characters in all of my films, since the very beginning. In my opinion, even in Kantara Chapter 1, Kanakavathi’s a very strong character. I think I justify my female characters even in a film where the story revolves around a man. I understand the conversations that had happened. But that’s their perspective. I know that I’ve justified them,” the actor added.

Talking about Kantara Chapter 1, the Kannada movie released in theatres on October 2. The film opened at the box office, earning over Rs 60 crore. The film also features Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah and Jayaram in key roles.